Portland claims top newcomer, goalkeeper in MLS postseason awards

Two more MLS postseason awards were revealed Wednesday, and it was a Portland Timbers sweep.

Midfielder Diego Valeri was named Newcomer of the Year (the third straight Argentine to win the award) and Donovan Ricketts was named Goalkeeper of the Year. Neither is a big surprise as both were named to the MLS Best XI on Tuesday.

Valeri had 10 goals and a MLS-high 13 assists; both were Timbers’ single-season records. Here was the voting breakdown, which wasn’t even close:

Player (Club)

% of Club Votes

% of Media Votes

% of Player Votes

Weighted Total

Diego Valeri (POR)

72.34

79.22

36.38

187.94

Jose Goncalves (NE)

6.38

2.6

13.21

22.19

Nigel Reo-Coker (VAN)

6.38

1.3

8.54

16.22

Clint Irwin (COL)

2.13

3.9

5.89

11.92

Ricketts, who also won this award in 2010 with the Los Angeles Galaxy, set career highs this season in shutouts (14), saves (92) and minutes (2,880). He ranked among league leaders in wins (13), goals-against average (0.97) and save percentage (73.0). Here was that voting breakdown, where you can see the media voted heavily for Real Salt Lake’s Nick Rimando: